The Farr Side: Paula Abdul on stage is a dream come true

Thursday

Paula Abdul made this guy’s high school dream comes come true. The pop star performed recently at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Michigan to a sold-out venue.

I never dreamed I would see Paula Abdul perform live. It’s not something she’s does often. Abdul told an enthusiastic audience that she hasn’t toured in 28 years. The last time was in support of her second No. 1 album, “Spellbound.”

This was the first time, for me, to see a concert at a casino venue, too. I was impressed very much with Four Winds and of Paula’s show. It’s a much smaller venue than I’m used to, but that was fine.

There’s not a bad seat in the house. And, it was Paula.

My niece, Alexis, and I enjoyed a meal at the buffet before taking our seats. Alexis came to know Paula Abdul from watching her as a judge on “American Idol.” She also was a fan of some of her hits that still hold up well.

Abdul opened with “The Way That You Love Me.” I quickly was transported back to my high school days when her songs were huge. I can remember playing her cassettes constantly and watching her dance up a storm on MTV.

She’s a choreographer at heart, so dancing will always play an important part of her life. And, at 56, she’s still got it. Abdul amazed with incredible moves, just as she did years earlier.

“Knocked Out” came next and the dance routines were phenomenal to see. The sound and her vocals were spot-on. It was as if the years had never passed.

The most impressive thing was Paula’s personable side. I loved how she engaged the fans and took time to explain her career path and humble beginnings. She told the story of becoming a member of The Laker Girls, which led to her massive career as a choreographer to such stars as Madonna and Janet Jackson. It’s amazing how she saw herself as a success story before it happened and how she brought it to reality.

I was moved when she spoke about being absent from the spotlight for about seven years during the 1990s. She survived a crash-landing but sustained traumatic neck injuries from the impact. She has had 15 neurosurgeries and lives with chronic pain. Her testimonial was powerful. I could relate to her frame of mind during her recovery. It’s an amazing story.

People tend to forget how big of a star she was for while and the impact she had.

“Forever Your Girl,” spawned four No. 1 singles, sold 25 million copies and spent almost three years on the Billboard Hot 200 albums chart. She was the first female artist to have four No. 1′s from her a debut album. She’s enjoyed six chart-toppers.

The concert continued with “Opposites Attract,” “Cold Hearted,” “Blowing Kisses in the Wind,” “Promise Of A New Day,” “Crazy Cool” and “Rush Rush.”

While her dancers performed to “Vibeology,” Abdul made her way out into the audience. She came up to me and put her hands on my face. Paula Abdul touched my beard. It was crazy-cool.

Her pop culture masterpiece, “Straight Up,” was fantastic and the night’s biggest hit, judging by the response.

Paula came back for an encore of “Forever Your Girl.”— David T. Farr can be reached at farrboy@hotmail.com.